Pirate Standoff

The Somalian pirate story is taking a new turn with a standoff between the U.S. Navy and the lifeboat where the pirates are holding the captain of the Maersk Alabama hostage.  Apparent the pirates are sending reinforcements in the shape of previously hijacked ships complete with hostages aboard.  A U.S. Navy ship is on seen, apparently leading negotiations.  According to the New York times, the captain has already tried to escape from his captors:

Am unidentified Pentagon official was quoted by CNN on Friday as saying that at about midnight local time, Capt. Phillips escaped from the lifeboat and tried to swim to the Bainbridge [the U.S. Navy Destroyer on scene], but that the pirates jumped into the sea after him and recaptured him. It was not immediately possible to confirm this report.